Current Nursing Board Members

Jessica Miehe, DNP, MSN, RN, PHN
Board President, Registered Nurse Board Member

Jessica Miehe is an Associate Professor and Director of a Baccalaureate Nursing Program. Her nursing background includes work in critical care, nursing consultation, quality and process improvement, grant writing, and clinical education innovation and development. She founded a non-profit healthcare organization that aims to provide accessible, affordable care to children through school-based health centers. Jessica collaborates with community organizations and healthcare advocates to advance public policy and legislation aimed at improving health equity and reducing disparities. Jessica was appointed by Governor Walz on March 8, 2023, and was reappointed in 2025, with a term expiration date of January 1, 2029.

Joseph Owen, PMHNP, APRN, CNP

Board Vice President, Registered Nurse Board Member

Joseph Owen, of Litchfield, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner for the State of Minnesota. Mr. Owen received his associate degree in professional nursing from Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, MN, his bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and his master's degree from Walden University. Joseph was appointed by Governor Walz on March 8, 2023, and was reappointed in 2024, with a term expiration date of January 3, 2028.

Cynthia Petty, RN, BSN

Board Secretary, Registered Nurse Board Member

Cynthia Petty, of Hugo, is an Assistant Director of Health and Wellness in an assisted living facility. Her nursing background includes working as an RN for 35 years at a Twin Cities hospital in med-surg, postpartum and the newborn nursery. She earned an associate degree from St. Mary's Junior College and a baccalaureate degree from Bethel University. She performs public service as a planning commissioner for Hugo, a director at a food shelf, and a secretary for an additional non-profit organization. Cynthia was appointed by Governor Walz on January 17, 2024. Her term will expire January 4, 2027.

Katlynn Berntson, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member

Katlynn Berntson (Katie) is a licensed practical nurse currently working in a rural health clinic with a family medicine provider. She also has nursing experience in a critical access hospital and long term care facilities. Katie received her Practical Nursing Diploma from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes, MN through a satellite program that was based in Twin Valley, MN. Katie is also vaccine manager for the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program for her clinic. She was reappointed by Governor Tim Walz on November 22, 2022, as a licensed practical nurse board member, and her term will expire January 4, 2027.

Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham, MBA, MPH

Public Board Member

Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham, of Minneapolis, is a marketing communications leader with a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis where she defines the organization wide marketing communications and public relations strategy to support revenue goals and general public engagement to advance the organization's mission. She has over 20 years of experience as a strategic marketing leader in profit and nonprofit organizations and has a passion for understanding what drives behavior and using that insight to help people live healthier and better lives. Jacqui has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, an MBA degree from Fordham University Graduate School of Business in New York; and is pursuing a Master in Public Health at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2022, was reappointed in 2025, with a term expiration date of January 1, 2029.

Trisha Jensen, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member

Trisha Jensen, of Byron, is currently a licensed practical nurse in a primary care outpatient pediatric and adolescent clinic. She also has experience in executive health. Ms. Jensen earned an AAS in Health Information Technology in 2008. In 2015, she earned a practical nursing degree from Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester. She was reappointed by Governor Walz on January 6, 2026, with a term expiration date of January 7, 2030.

Rhonda Johnson, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member

Rhonda Johnson of Tyler, works as a family practice clinic nurse. Her experience includes hospital acute inpatient care, surgery, emergency room, home-care, hospice, obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatric nursing care. She has previous public service as a school board member. Ms. Johnson earned her Practical Nursing degree from Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2020, and was reappointed in 2024, with a term expiration date of January 3, 2028.

Jennifer Knaack, PhD, RN
Registered Nurse Board Member

Jennifer Knaack is the Director of Nursing at a community and technical college where she oversees the Associate Degree in Nursing Mobility Program and the Practical Nursing Program, and she is the Nursing Assistant Program Coordinator. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from North Hennepin Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education with a specialization in Nursing Education from Capella University. Her background includes clinical practice in acute and ambulatory care settings, leadership roles in acute and ambulatory care settings, and academic and leadership roles in nursing education, with experience in teaching, curriculum development, accreditation, and program management. Jennifer was appointed by Governor Walz on May 6, 2026, with a term expiration date of January 7, 2030.

Latasha Lee, MSN, RN, PHN
Registered Nurse Board Member

Latasha Lee, of Minneapolis, is currently a registered nurse at a local pediatric hospital and she is also a community faculty member at a local university. She has experience in adult nursing in medical-surgical, orthopedics, oncology, neurology, geriatric, and public health. Her pediatric experiences include medical-surgical, school nursing, residential care for abused and neglected boys, oncology, and hematology. Ms. Lee has an Associate in Science from Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois, a Bachelor's degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and a Master's degree from Walden University. She is dedicated to making a difference in her community. She is a member of Black Nurses Rock Twin Cities chapter, NAACP Behavior and Wellness committee, and Northside Fresh Coalition. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2020, and was reappointed in 2024, with a term expiration date of January 3, 2028.

Katherine Lynch, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member

Katherine (Kate) Lynch, of Roseville, is an LPN at a clinic in the Twin Cities, where she has worked for 32 years. She has spent the majority of her career working in pediatric and family medicine. Kate graduated from St. Paul College in 1987 with a Practical Nursing degree. Ms. Lynch was appointed by Governor Walz in 2021, was reappointed in 2025, with a term expiration date of January 1, 2029.

Kerry Scott, JD
Public Board Member

Kerry Scott, of St. Paul, has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline College of Law. She practiced in the areas of family law, civil trials and appeals, represented children and parents in CHIPS (Children in need of Protection or Services) matters, and handled juvenile and criminal defense cases. She coached girls gymnastics before and after her 33-year legal career. She was appointed by Governor Walz on June 10, 2026. Her term will expire on January 4, 2027.

Tracy Sonterre-Rieger, RN, MSN-Ed, CNE, CNE-cl
Registered Nurse Board Member

Tracy Sonterre-Rieger, is a faculty member at a community college in Minnesota, where she is a nursing instructor of the RN, LPN-RN, and PN programs. She has more than 10 years experience working as a registered nurse, and currently works at a hospital in northern Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Capella University, an Associate of Science in Nursing from Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. Ms. Sonterre-Rieger was appointed as a registered nurse board member on September 20, 2023. Her term will expire on January 4, 2027.

Patrick Simon Soria, DNP, MHA, MAN, RN, CGNC, FAAN

Registered Nurse Board Member

Patrick Simon Soria is currently working as an Assistant Clinical Nurse Manager at a Twin Cities Hospital and has over 20 years of nursing experience. His educational background includes a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Regis University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Arts in Nursing from the Philippine Women's University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ateneo de Davao University. He is the Second Vice President of the Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses. He is also the President-elect of the Philippine Nurses Association of Central Minnesota and represents the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities at the Minnesota Equitable Healthcare Taskforce. Patrick Simon Soria was appointed by Governor Walz on July 17, 2024, and reappointed on January 7, 2025. His term expires on January 1, 2029.

Kenneth Toenjes
Public Board Member

Kenneth Toenjes of Anoka is a retired educator who dedicated more than 20 years to teaching students with special needs in Minneapolis Public Schools. He holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Industries from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and History, with a minor in Political Science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Ken enjoys volunteering at his church and within the community. Originally from Collinsville, Illinois, he has proudly called Minnesota home since 1990 and greatly enjoys the state’s natural resources. Kenneth was appointed by Governor Walz on May 6, 2026, with a term expiration date of January 7, 2030.

Maria Tran

Public Board Member

Maria Tran, of Brooklyn Center, works as a medical, education, legal and social services Vietnamese interpreter and volunteers by helping senior Vietnamese with language barriers. Maria is involved in her community as a human rights activist and serves on the Brooklyn Park City Council. She earned a two-year degree from North Hennepin Community College. Maria was appointed as a public member by Governor Walz on March 14, 2023. Her term will expire on January 4, 2027.